Related

Vitamin D and Gestational Diabetes
Several new studies have indicated that low Vitamin D levels in early pregnancy are associated with a higher risk for diabetes during pregnancy. We have known for some time that Vitamin D is important for bone growth and normal nerve functioning because of its role in calcium absorption and helping the body to use calcium efficiently.

Vitamin D in Foods
There is mounting evidence that many of us are increasingly deficient in Vitamin D. While there is some controversy about the health impact of this it seems that changes in our diet in the last few years towards fewer foods rich in Vitamin D has led to a much lower intake.

Speaking of Vitamin D....
Previous studies have suggested a link between low levels of vitamin D and the risk of high blood pressure and diabetes. In this study, the researchers looked at data from a large-scale study known as the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which was conducted between 1988 and 1994.

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Breast Cancer and Calcium Supplements

You may have heard that certain vitamin supplements can help you reduce your risk of breast cancer. One in particular that you've probably heard about is calcium supplements with vitamin D.

Many doctors say that women would do well to take a calcium supplement containing vitamin D in order to help prevent bone loss. The science for the current recommendations of 1200 milligrams per day may not be great, but there is some. The proof for calcium and breast cancer, however, doesn't appear to be nearly as good.

Over 33,000 postmenopausal women who were enrolled in the Women's Health
Initiative were invited to participate in a study of calcium plus vitamin
d supplements and their effect on the risk of hip fractures, colon cancer
and breast cancer (J Natl Cancer Inst 2008; 100:1581-1591). These
women had already been evaluated by clinical breast exam and mammogram and
were free of breast cancer at the beginning of the Women's Health Initiative
two years before.

Half of the women were given 1000 milligrams of calcium plus 400 IU vitamin
D on a daily basis and the other half were given placebos that looked the
same as the calcium/vitamin D pills. For an average of seven years these
women were tracked and given regular mammograms as well as other appropriate
medical tests and treatment. At the end of the seven years the researchers
evaluated the medical records of the participating women to see if the incidence
of breast cancer between the two groups was different.

They found that there was no significant difference in the risk of breast
cancer between those women who were taking calcium and vitamin D supplements
and those who were not. Nor was there any significant difference in the size
of the cancers that were found – those women who were taking the supplements
had tumors that were a very little bit smaller than those in the women who
were not taking the supplements. The stages of the tumors found, however,
were much the same.

What this means for you

Breast cancer is a very scary disease and it's natural to want to do everything
you can to help prevent it. However, supplements, no matter what
kind they are and how helpful they might be in preventing other
conditions, are no substitute for eating healthy, maintaining
a healthy weight, and exercising regularly. Need help doing just
that? Try using The Dr. Gourmet Diet Plan, where you can create healthy,
delicious menus for yourself and your whole family while tracking
your exercise and daily caloric intake as you progress toward
your goals. Get
started today.